Ignaty Shuan, the future bishop, was born in Beijing on [[December 23]], 1888. Little is known about his early life. He later completed theological [[seminary]] at the Spiritual Mission, Beijing, and was [[ordination|ordained]] to the [[deacon|diaconate]] on [[May 11]], 1915, by Bishop Innokenty (Figurovsky).

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Ignaty Shuang, the future bishop, was born in Beijing on [[December 23]], 1888. Little is known about his early life. He later completed theological [[seminary]] at the Spiritual Mission, Beijing, and was [[ordination|ordained]] to the [[deacon|diaconate]] on [[May 11]], 1915, by Bishop Innokenty (Figurovsky).

Dcn Ignaty, after 33 years serving as a [[deacon]], was ordained in 1948 to the [[priest]]hood. On [[August 30]] of that year, he was also [[tonsure]]d a [[monk]] with the name Vasily. Hmk Vasily was then elevated to [[Igumen|Hegumen]] and was appointed spiritual director of Holy Dormition Monastery and Holy Protection Monastery, a male and female monastery (respectively).

Dcn Ignaty, after 33 years serving as a [[deacon]], was ordained in 1948 to the [[priest]]hood. On [[August 30]] of that year, he was also [[tonsure]]d a [[monk]] with the name Vasily. Hmk Vasily was then elevated to [[Igumen|Hegumen]] and was appointed spiritual director of Holy Dormition Monastery and Holy Protection Monastery, a male and female monastery (respectively).

Revision as of 04:39, October 9, 2007

His Grace BishopVasily (Shuan) of Beijing was the first ruling bishop of the Autonomous Chinese Orthodox Church.

Biography

Ignaty Shuang, the future bishop, was born in Beijing on December 23, 1888. Little is known about his early life. He later completed theological seminary at the Spiritual Mission, Beijing, and was ordained to the diaconate on May 11, 1915, by Bishop Innokenty (Figurovsky).

Dcn Ignaty, after 33 years serving as a deacon, was ordained in 1948 to the priesthood. On August 30 of that year, he was also tonsured a monk with the name Vasily. Hmk Vasily was then elevated to Hegumen and was appointed spiritual director of Holy Dormition Monastery and Holy Protection Monastery, a male and female monastery (respectively).

In July 1950, Hegumen Vasily was elevated to archimandrite, and in December of the same year, Archimandrite Vasily was appointed director of the Catechetical School of the Mission, in addition to being made a member of the administration of the East-Asian Exarchate.

Greater honour was to come to Archimandrite Vasily when, in 1951, Patriarch Alexy offered Archim. Vasily the bishopric of Tianjin, but this was declined by Archim. Vasily, who gave the reasons of unworthiness and infirmity (being 69 years old). At this point, Archimandrite Vasily was the dean of the Holy Dormition Cathedral, Beijing, and was temporary administrator of the diocese of Beijing. In February of this year, Archim. Vasily was appointed a member of the Council of the Spiritual Mission.

However, the episcopacy was not to be denied. On May 17, 1957, Archimandrite Vasily was consecrated Bishop of Beijing in the Holy Transfiguration church, Moscow, by Metr. Nikolai of Krutitsk and Kolomensk, Abp. Victor of Krasnodar and Kuban, and Abp. Makary of Mozhaisk.

The first head of the Autonomous Chinese Orthodox Church was not to rule this post very long. On January 3, 1962, Bp. Vasily reposed, with no successor.